THE THREES

Posted on August 13, 2018 by oneta hayes

This is the day of the threes. Three years since Howard passed on and three weeks since the doctor said I have about three months before joining him. So I come to this bench where I sit for about three hours coming to grips with thoughts of a new world. Stretched out before me is a lake with houses on the other side. I sit reading and thinking.

I’ve found hope in Psalm 3:5 “I lie down and sleep, I wake again because the Lord sustains me.” I look at the beauty of the grass and lake; I see people on the other side. In the near future, I will lie down and sleep, I will awake again to the beauty around me, and to a reunion of people on the other side.

I wonder if Howard has found Tommy. Oh, I remember other threes! Tommy died from having three-day measles when he was three years old.

It will be nice to be a threesome again – Howard, Tommy, and me.

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image: unsplash

Posted in death, eternal life, Heaven, short story, Uncategorized | Tagged death, Heaven, short story | 12 Comments

PART 3 -WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY RE: SUFFERING

Posted on August 12, 2018 by oneta hayes

A continuation of posts regarding why good people suffer. In what way does God keep his promise to work out everything for our good (Romans 8:28)?

Part 1: Character building https://onetahayes.com/2018/08/07/what-does-the-bible-say-re-suffering-part-1/

Part 2: To Help Others, Because of Sin,, Advance the Kingdom of God https://onetahayes.com/2018/08/08/part-2-what-does-the-bible-say-re-suffering/

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ETERNAL REWARD

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Matthew 5:11-12. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

2 Timothy 2:12. “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”

DEATH TO RESCUE SAINTS FROM EVIL

Isaiah 57:1-2 …no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil…

TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD

John 9:1-12 Tells the story of the man born blind

Posted in suffering, Uncategorized | Tagged benefits of suffering, Christianity, scriptures re sffering, troubld, why do good people suffer | 4 Comments

ADVICE FOR WOULD-BE DRIVER

Posted on August 11, 2018 by oneta hayes

Dear sixteen-year-old.

If today your driving is haphazard at best,

then heed my advice, don’t go for your test.

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This is my first try at a 19 word challenge by Sammi Scribbles This challenge was to use the word “haphazard.”

https://sammiscribbles.wordpress.com/2018/08/11/weekend-writing-prompt-67-haphazard/

Posted in Sammi Scribbles, Uncategorized | Tagged driver, haphazard, Sammi Scribbles | 5 Comments

WHO’S WATCHING JULIE?

Posted on August 11, 2018 by oneta hayes

Four-year-old Julie, intent on filling her basket with flowers, wandered from camp, unaware that eyes were peering from the woods. She walked deeper and deeper into the brush and trees. Julie – as sweet and innocent as Little Red Riding Hood going to her grandmother’s house.

Fortunately Julie’s Grandmother was not sick in bed; she was in the camp. Where’s Julie? She sounded the alarm and campers began the search. Aha! It wasn’t long before Grandmother herself found Julie. Neither was aware of the Wolf who slunk away without a sound except for the hungry growling of his stomach.

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Challenge: write a 99 word story using the phrase “peering from the woods.”

https://carrotranch.com/2018/08/09/august-9-flash-fiction-challenge/

Posted in carrot ranch, Uncategorized | Tagged carrot ranch | 13 Comments

I’M NOT SICK, BUT I’M NOT WELL

Posted on August 10, 2018 by oneta hayes

not sick ·

Moms everywhere you’re gonna love me for this! Toddlers are absolutely not adapted to “I’m not sick, but I’m not well” time; for them, as soon as the fever is gone, they are back on energizer bunny. Teens are quick to enter and slow to exit “I’m not sick, but I’m not well” time.

Fourteen year old Peggy awakes with an upset stomach. Oh, no school today. No school tomorrow. “I’m not sick, but I’m not well” next day. Long week-end. Monday go to school but milk it for all it’s worth. Three days out for illness last week, you know, so Peggy’s teachers are easy on her. Tuesday, she must slide back into the groove. Nice to hear expressions of sympathy from teachers, friends, and other interested parties. Got a whole week out of that upset stomach!

Now go with me to the new bride and groom. Hubby at 2:00 a.m. “You asleep, honey. You sound like you are not feeling good.”
Answer: “Right, honey, I’m feeling sick.”
Hubby “That’s okay, sugar, go back to sleep. That’s good for you.”
“OK, Lovebug. Nite again.”
Hubby at 4:00 a.m. “Honey, are you sick now?”
“No, Sweetie. I’m not sick but I don’t feel well.”
Hubby, “Oh, good. I don’t like for you to be sick.”
“I know, Pumpkin. You are always so thoughtful for me.” Smooch, smooch.

Six years later Little Emmy and four-year-old Amy push at mommy in the bed. “Mommy, Daddy said that you are sick, and that we should let him help us if we need help.” “That’s right, Precious Princess. Thanks for letting mommy sleep.” Thirty minutes later, they catch you red-handed. You’ve been up to the bathroom! “Oh, Mommy. You’re not sick anymore! We don’t like you to be sick.” “Mommy is feeling better, Lovebugs.” Emmy remembers to remind mommy that today is her birthday! “Oh, goodie, now you can make my birthday cake. Daddy said to ask you but Polly called and I told her my party would be at 4:00 today!” “Okay, Lovies. I’ll start your cake.” I want to yell “I’m not sick, but I’m not well!”

Run the clock forward a few years. Son calls, “Mom, you still sick, or could I run by with the girls and talk a bit while you make us a couple-a-sandwiches.”
“Sure, darling, love to have you.” “I’m not sick, but I’m not well.” I mutter to myself, while going to see what’s in the frig.

Thirty minutes later, I breath a sigh of relief. My Daughter-in-law came with them! She whizzes through the kitchen making sandwiches as she goes, sits them at the table, loads the dishwasher, sweeps the floor, empties the trash, gives me a love and waves good-bye as she marches her charges out the door. Daughter-in-law—the one who knows the meaning of “I’m not sick, but I’m not well.”

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I found this in some papers; it was written a few years ago. Don’t think I’ve blogged it before. Not to worry, “I’m not sick. I am quite well.” 😀

Posted in humor, Uncategorized | Tagged humor, sickness | 10 Comments

THE EAGER TALE-SPINNER

Posted on August 9, 2018 by oneta hayes

I’m sitting on a lawn chair about a hundred feet behind this scene. My goal is to plot a short story with this as the setting. What might I write?

I see a couple walking to the bench. They sit. Then I see the young man kneel before the girl.
A jogger and his dog are running toward the bench. The dog stops, barks, and turns to run back. Why?
An angry crow flies in circles low to the ground below the tree branches. Looking closely I see a fledgling crow on the ground. There is a snake slithering toward it.
It is said that the ghost of a man who drowned spends time sitting at the edge of the water. I can’t see it, but listen. What do I hear?

Which tale shall I spin? Must be short but with a plot. A story that I can end in 150 words, that’s all I’ve got!

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Image: by wildverbs

Required: Write story regarding the picture prompt, 100-150 (+ or – 25 words) This story has 159 words.

https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2018/08/06/fffaw-challenge-177th/

Posted in flash fiction for aspiring writers, Uncategorized | Tagged flash fiction for aspiring writers, short story, tale spinning | 29 Comments

PART 2 – WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY RE: SUFFERING

Posted on August 8, 2018 by oneta hayes

Part 1 listed scriptures which show that good character traits can come to us via suffering.

Today (Part 2) will give scriptures for three other causes/reasons/benefits which touch on the subject of the suffering of a Christian.

SO WE CAN IDENTIFY WITH & HELP OTHERS IN NEED

2 Cor. 1:3,4 …the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Heb. 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him…

BECAUSE OF SIN

Psa. 32:3 v 5 …When I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long…Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity…and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Psa. 38:3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. (continue through verse 11.)

Psa. 106:15 So he gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease upon them.

I Peter 4:1,2 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

TO ADVANCE THE KINGDOM OF GOD

2 Cor. 1:10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

2 Cor. 4:11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.

Phil, 1:14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Psa. 105:18, 19 They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true.

1 Peter 1:6,7 …while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith…may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Peter 4:12-19, (suffering as a Christian) 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (5:1 Peter says he is “one who will also share in the glory to be revealed)

Posted in suffering, Uncategorized | Tagged benefits of suffering, Christianity, scriptures re suffering, trouble, why do good people suffer | 4 Comments

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY RE: SUFFERING – Part 1

Posted on August 7, 2018 by oneta hayes

Time goes so fast! When I wrote about Job, I intended to get right back with the subject of suffering. It’s difficult. There are so many questions about God and suffering. Who causes suffering? Why does God allow it? There are a lot of great books on the subject. I won’t go there into much depth. But I want to point out some scriptures which show the “benefits” of suffering.

Kids generally do not grow strong characters by having a lolly-pop and all the things that go with the happy life. Adults don’t either.

CHARACTER BUILDING

Some of the character building traits that come via suffering:

Patience 2 Cor. 1: 6 …which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. James 5:10, 11 (refers to Job)

Faith 2 Cor. 1:9 …But this happens that we might not rely on ourselves but on God… 1 Peter 1:6,7 …while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith…may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Reliance on God’s Word Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

Repentance 2 Cor. 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. (reference Job’s experience)

Humility 2 Cor. 12:7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh…

Perseverance, character, hope Romans 3:5 …we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope James 5:11

Endurance 2 Tim. 1:8-12 & 2:3 (excerpts) That is why I am suffering as I am. … Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Obedience Heb. 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered…

Righteousness, peace Heb. 12:11 …(discipline) produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

https://onetahayes.com/2018/05/01/as-the-boils-sting/https://onetahayes.com/2018/04/30/poor-poor-job/

Posted in suffering, Uncategorized | Tagged benefits of suffering, Christianity, scriptures re suffering, trouble, why do good people suffer | Leave a comment

THE LAST LAUGH

Posted on August 6, 2018 by oneta hayes

Time and movement stopped;

so did the debt collectors,

when the old man died.

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image: Pixabay

Writing haiku for Ronovan:

https://ronovanwrites.com/2018/08/06/ronovanwrites-weekly-haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-213-timemovement/

Posted in haiku, Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge, Uncategorized | Tagged death, haiku, Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge, time | 8 Comments

THE HUMPTY TRUCK